Morinville resident Travis Switzer walked away from Saturday’s Canadian Country Music All-Star Band Awards with his first statuette.
Nominated four times, the bass player was given the nod for his support of both Deric Ruttan and Jason Blaine.
Initially dumbstruck when his name was called, Switzer strolled over to the other side of the table and kissed his wife before heading to the Shaw Conference Centre podium to accept the award.
“I was a little bit in shock. I was speechless. I didn’t know what to say. For the first 30 seconds I didn’t know what to say. It was a crazy kind of weekend and I didn’t plan anything,” says Switzer.
While a CCMA award has the power to broaden a singer-songwriter’s earning potential, “this award is more of a thank-you for a musician’s hard work rather than taking you to the next level,” he explains.
At this point Switzer is unable to say whether the phone will ring off the hook.
“It’s icing on the cake. It may not translate into more gigs, but it will look great on a resume.”
The four-day country party that ran September 5 to 8 celebrated some of the biggest country music names in Canada – movers and shakes such as Gord Bamford, Terri Clark, Dean Brody and Emerson Drive.
Sunday’s on-air telecast at Rexall Place was without doubt the main attraction. It gave Switzer a few moments to shine as he provided bass support during Jason Blaine’s performance of Cool and as Deric Ruttan belted out My Kind of Freedom.
Backstage Rexall was just as cool.
“It was a lot of fun. Individual musicians are very supportive. It was hard to walk five feet without having somebody congratulate you.”
Two former St. Albert residents also received awards. Drummer Ben Brantley, now living in Calgary, was awarded the All Star Band Award, as part of Gord Bamford’s musical entourage.
And Ron Harwood, now a Toronto resident, was recognized as Record Person of the Year for his work with Universal.
Next up for Switzer is a five-week tour with Deric Ruttan, Jason Blaine and Chad Brownlee. Starting in mid-October the Your Town Throw Down Tour starts in Nova Scotia and winds its way across Canada to Vancouver. They play Edmonton’s Ranch Roadhouse on Thursday, Nov. 7.
